WWE Extreme Rules 2018: Fantasy Booking AJ Styles Vs. Rusev
By Dalton Quix
Rusev is now the #1 contender for the WWE Championship, but will he be able to dethrone AJ Styles at Extreme Rules?
It has finally happened. The greatest Rusev Day finally occurred on SmackDown Live, when, in a star studded gauntlet match consisting of The Miz, Daniel Bryan, Big E, and Samoa Joe, Rusev came out victorious to become AJ Styles’ newest challenger at Extreme Rules.
This is a special moment for Rusev, and a long time coming, because this will be Rusev’s first ever WWE Championship match in all of his four years on the roster. He has had his ups and downs, but despite some poor booking, Rusev and his fanbase have found a way to give him the push that he deserves.
What is interesting here is that it looks like Rusev will be getting a push as a babyface. This shouldn’t be a surprise since the WWE Universe adores him and he consistently gets pops, but WWE has been booking Rusev as a heel on just about every Rusev Day.
Credit: WWE.com
That is, until recently. In the past couple weeks, Rusev has been cutting some genuine promos backstage and has been wrestling in clean matches despite having Aiden English available to cheat for him. He won clean against Daniel Bryan (to qualify for Money in the Bank) and The Miz, and the fact that he shook AJ Styles’ hand after the match shows the respect between the two competitors. I mean, just listen to this backstage interview and tell me you don’t want to root for this guy. It’s impossible!
Well here’s the kicker: Aiden English, Rusev’s best friend, is still acting as a heel. When English introduces Rusev before each match, he still uses his song to put down his opponents and sometimes even the crowd. And, that showed when Rusev shook AJ Styles’ hand after the gauntlet match, but Aiden English refused. This led to a swift punch from the Phenomenal One.
So, it looks like Aiden English will be the wild card in this feud, and he could play a pivotal role in the outcome of this match. At Extreme Rules, we will likely get a bayface vs babyface match between Rusev and AJ. These two are so great in the ring, and their clash of styles (pun intended) will likely make for a great showing.
It will be a back and forth affair with each man having opportunities to finish the match. But, in the end, the result will be decided by a pesky Aiden English. He will turn on Rusev and cost him the WWE Championship. This will then lock in Rusev as a babyface, and a feud with his former best friend will give him a direction coming out of Extreme Rules and into SummerSlam.
So, why would Aiden English turn on Rusev? Well, there are actually plenty of reasons, but jealousy would have to be the primary one. In this tag team, it is Rusev who got the opportunity in Money in the Bank, Rusev who got put into the gauntlet match and Rusev who got his own day named after him.
Aiden English, who feels he has contributed just as much, if not more, to the duo’s success, could be overcome with jealousy and will betray his best friend when the stakes are the highest. After all, English is an “artist” and is looking to be recognized for his work. Betraying Rusev at Extreme Rules will surely have everyone talking about him, which is what his egotistical character will crave.
Next: SD Live: Best Of The Gauntlet Match
So, at Extreme Rules, we should be treated to an excellent WWE Championship match, but a disappointing ending. However, that ending should allow AJ to face someone like Samoa Joe at Summerslam and will solidify Rusev as both a face and credible main event talent. So, I won’t complain if Aiden English ends up ruining this match.